Published: Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, June 29, 2009 at 10:53 a.m.

RALEIGH - Eighty-two of North Carolina's 100 counties experienced an unemployment rate increase in May including Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties, according to statistics released today by the state's Employment Security Commission.

Henderson County's unemployment rate went up from 9.4 percent to 9.8 percent, Polk County increased from 8.9 percent in April to 9.4 percent in May and Transylvania County saw a jump from 8.7 percent to May's unemployment rate of 9 percent.

Rates decreased in only 16 counties and remained the same in two.

"All of the state's 100 counties continue to be challenged by this recession. But, in its role to help maintain economic stability in communities across North Carolina, the ESC has paid nearly $3 billion dollars in benefits over the course of a year," said ESC Chairman Moses Carey Jr. "We continue to work with customers in our 89 offices statewide - and over the Internet and telephone - to make sure those seeking work can find a position and those needing unemployment benefits receive those monies."

North Carolina had 46 counties which were at or below the state's unadjusted unemployment rate of 11.1 percent. Rates increased in all 14 of the state's Metropolitan Statistical Areas.

Total county employment, not-seasonally adjusted, decreased in May by 20,335 workers, from 4,079,980 to 4,059,645.

Not-seasonally adjusted unemployment increased by 26,750 workers. The unemployment total in May was 505,445 workers, compared with 478,695 in April.

Henderson County's unemployment, not-seasonally adjusted, in May was 4,715 compared to 4,575 in April, Polk County's unemployment increased from 880 in April to 929 in May. Transylvania County's unemployment numbers for May were 1,235 compared to 1,190 in April.

Currituck County had the state's lowest unemployment rate in May, at 6.3 percent. Meanwhile, Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate, at 17.2 percent.

The state unemployment rate for June will be released on Friday, July 17, 2009

<p>RALEIGH - Eighty-two of North Carolina's 100 counties experienced an unemployment rate increase in May including Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties, according to statistics released today by the state's Employment Security Commission.</p><p>Henderson County's unemployment rate went up from 9.4 percent to 9.8 percent, Polk County increased from 8.9 percent in April to 9.4 percent in May and Transylvania County saw a jump from 8.7 percent to May's unemployment rate of 9 percent.</p><p>Rates decreased in only 16 counties and remained the same in two.</p><p>"All of the state's 100 counties continue to be challenged by this recession. But, in its role to help maintain economic stability in communities across North Carolina, the ESC has paid nearly $3 billion dollars in benefits over the course of a year," said ESC Chairman Moses Carey Jr. "We continue to work with customers in our 89 offices statewide - and over the Internet and telephone - to make sure those seeking work can find a position and those needing unemployment benefits receive those monies."</p><p>North Carolina had 46 counties which were at or below the state's unadjusted unemployment rate of 11.1 percent. Rates increased in all 14 of the state's Metropolitan Statistical Areas.</p><p>Total county employment, not-seasonally adjusted, decreased in May by 20,335 workers, from 4,079,980 to 4,059,645.</p><p>Not-seasonally adjusted unemployment increased by 26,750 workers. The unemployment total in May was 505,445 workers, compared with 478,695 in April.</p><p>Henderson County's unemployment, not-seasonally adjusted, in May was 4,715 compared to 4,575 in April, Polk County's unemployment increased from 880 in April to 929 in May. Transylvania County's unemployment numbers for May were 1,235 compared to 1,190 in April.</p><p>Currituck County had the state's lowest unemployment rate in May, at 6.3 percent. Meanwhile, Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate, at 17.2 percent.</p><p>The state unemployment rate for June will be released on Friday, July 17, 2009</p>